UN Security Council ‘might have outlived usefulness’, says Zuma by Nicholas Kotch <http://www.bdlive.co.za/opinion/staffprofiles/2012/08/06/nicholas-kotch-profile>, 24 September 2013, 07:40 Nicholas Kotch UN Security Council ‘might have outlived usefulness’, says Zuma
THE "big five" countries that comprise the United Nations Security Council and their veto rights have become part of the problem in world governance rather than positive influences, President Jacob Zuma said in New York on Monday. "That is one issue we have got to change. When the world and circumstances change, you can’t have an organisation that does not change," he said in remarks to South African media on the eve of the UN General Assembly. Mr Zuma said the UN Security Council, which was created in 1946 at the end of the Second World War, "might have by now outlived its usefulness" and should be transformed to reflect new realities. Its five permanent members are still the US, Russia, China, Britain and France, each retaining its veto powers to prevent any resolution that it opposes. For example, Russia and China have used their powers recently to prevent international military action against the Syrian government. Repeated calls for reform of the council have failed, partly because there is no majority agreement on what should replace the current system. If Africa were given a permanent seat, for instance, should South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt or another country fill the vacancy? South Africa is a strong backer of change to the make-up of the council but Mr Zuma’s comments on Monday were particularly strong. He is certain to raise the matter on Tuesday when he speaks on the first day of the assembly’s general debate. Mr Zuma is number 14 on the list of 196 world leaders who are scheduled to address their peers over seven days. He said the Security Council was meant to guide the world away from wars and towards peace and stability. Instead, "you have a situation where those who possess the power of veto talk more war than peace". Mr Zuma criticised the Security Council’s actions over the past decade in Iraq and Libya and said it was being used to undermine the majority of UN member states. "You have a minority that has the last word and unfortunately is no longer helping. It is actually becoming part of the problem," he said. "As small countries we believe the arrangement is unfair, it is undemocratic, it’s not good any more." Earlier on Monday, Mr Zuma took part in the launch of Africa’s committee that is trying — belatedly, it appears — to forge a common position on the continent’s development goals after 2015. It is chaired by Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. *• Kotch is a guest of the Department of International Relations and Co-operation.* September 24 2013, 07:40 Facebook LinkedIn Kindle Pinterest Comments Email - <http://www.bdlive.co.za/national/2013/09/24/un-security-council-might-have-outlived-usefulness-says-zuma?service=print> Clip this article <http://www.bdlive.co.za/?filter=login&articleID=272450> [image: President Jacob Zuma. Picture: SOWETAN] President Jacob Zuma. Picture: SOWETAN Related articles - Change to top council, ICC ‘bias’ on SA watch list for UN<http://www.bdlive.co.za/national/2013/09/23/change-to-top-council-icc-bias-on-sa-watch-list-for-un> In this article - - *Companies and organisations: *United Nations<http://www.bdlive.co.za/tags/organisations/unitednations/> - - *People: * Jacob Zuma <http://www.bdlive.co.za/tags/people/jacobzuma/> THE "big five" countries that comprise the United Nations Security Council and their veto rights have become part of the problem in world governance rather than positive influences, President Jacob Zuma said in New York on Monday. "That is one issue we have got to change. When the world and circumstances change, you can’t have an organisation that does not change," he said in remarks to South African media on the eve of the UN General Assembly. Mr Zuma said the UN Security Council, which was created in 1946 at the end of the Second World War, "might have by now outlived its usefulness" and should be transformed to reflect new realities. Its five permanent members are still the US, Russia, China, Britain and France, each retaining its veto powers to prevent any resolution that it opposes. For example, Russia and China have used their powers recently to prevent international military action against the Syrian government. Repeated calls for reform of the council have failed, partly because there is no majority agreement on what should replace the current system. If Africa were given a permanent seat, for instance, should South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt or another country fill the vacancy? South Africa is a strong backer of change to the make-up of the council but Mr Zuma’s comments on Monday were particularly strong. He is certain to raise the matter on Tuesday when he speaks on the first day of the assembly’s general debate. Mr Zuma is number 14 on the list of 196 world leaders who are scheduled to address their peers over seven days. He said the Security Council was meant to guide the world away from wars and towards peace and stability. Instead, "you have a situation where those who possess the power of veto talk more war than peace". Mr Zuma criticised the Security Council’s actions over the past decade in Iraq and Libya and said it was being used to undermine the majority of UN member states. "You have a minority that has the last word and unfortunately is no longer helping. It is actually becoming part of the problem," he said. "As small countries we believe the arrangement is unfair, it is undemocratic, it’s not good any more." Earlier on Monday, Mr Zuma took part in the launch of Africa’s committee that is trying — belatedly, it appears — to forge a common position on the continent’s development goals after 2015. It is chaired by Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. *• Kotch is a guest of the Department of International Relations and Co-operation.* -- -- You are subscribed. This footer can help you. Please POST your comments to [email protected] or reply to this message. You can visit the group WEB SITE at http://groups.google.com/group/yclsa-eom-forum for different delivery options, pages, files and membership. To UNSUBSCRIBE, please email [email protected] . You don't have to put anything in the "Subject:" field. You don't have to put anything in the message part. All you have to do is to send an e-mail to this address (repeat): [email protected] . --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "YCLSA Discussion Forum" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
